[0001] The present invention relates to a transfer unit for containers.
[0002] More exactly, the present invention is applicable advantageously to machines for
filling and capping containers generally considered, and in particular, bottles taken
up from a first conveyor coinciding for example with the outfeed of a filler or capper,
and transferred to a second conveyor on which they advance toward a downstream machine,
for instance a labeller.
[0003] In prior art systems, bottles leaving the first conveyor will be restrained generally
by the neck, whilst the second conveyor operates at a height dictated by the downstream
machine and presents an entry portion adjustable for height in such a way as to accommodate
variations in the longitudinal dimension of different bottles.
[0004] This means in practice that the entry portion of the second conveyor is inclined
in the manner of a chute, and in certain cases the resulting angle may be unacceptably
steep, so that the bottles cannot be conveyed properly or remain balanced.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a transfer unit that will overcome
the drawback in question by ensuring bottles are directed correctly and safely onto
the second conveyor.
[0006] The stated object is realized according to the invention in a unit for transferring
containers as characterized in claim 1 appended.
[0007] The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of
the accompanying drawings, in which:
- figure 1 shows a portion of a bottling line for containers, comprising a transfer
unit according to the present invention, illustrated in a schematic plan view
- figure 2 shows the unit of figure 1 in a schematic elevation view, with parts illustrated
in section;
- figure 3 is an enlarged detail of figure 2;
- figure 4 shows a detail of figure 2, illustrated in perspective;
- figure 5 is an enlarged detail of figure 1, from which certain parts are omitted;
- figures 6 and 7 are plan views showing a detail of figure 1 in two different operating
configurations.
[0008] With reference to figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes a portion of a
bottling line for filling containers 2, each presenting a body 3 and a neck 4 (figures
2 and 3).
[0009] The line 1 comprises a transfer unit 5 rotatable about a main vertical axis 6, turning
anticlockwise as seen in figure 1, through a receiving station 7 at which the selfsame
unit takes up a succession of containers 2 from a first rotary conveyor 8 turning
clockwise about at axis (not illustrated) disposed parallel to the main axis 6.
[0010] The function of the unit 5 is to transfer the containers 2 to a release station 9
coinciding with a second linear conveyor 10 advancing substantially tangential to
the unit 5 in a direction denoted F1, by which the containers 2 are carried toward
a further station (not illustrated) of the bottling line 1.
[0011] The transfer unit 5 comprises a vertical shaft 11 extending upward from a bed 12
concentrically with the main axis 6. The shaft 11 carries a flange 13 at the free
top end, also a disc element 14 mounted to the flange and furnished around the periphery
with a plurality of angularly equispaced pairs 15 of vertical guide elements 16 aligned
on respective axes parallel to the main axis 6, of which the free ends are directed
toward the bed 12. The flange 13, the disc 14 and the guide elements 16 combine to
establish a moving frame 17 and together constitute feed means 18 by which the containers
2 are carried along a path 19 consisting in a closed loop and including a transfer
path 19a that extends from the receiving station 7 to the release station 9.
[0012] Associated with each pair 15 of guide elements 16 are vertically slidable means 20
that comprise a slide 21 carrying means 22 by which to hold and support a single container
2. More exactly, the top face 23 of the slide 21 presents a pair of vertical pivots
24 (figures 1 and 5) serving to support and enable the angular movement of a pair
of jaws 25 and 26 functioning as means 27 by which to grip the neck 3 of a single
container 2.
[0013] As discernible in figures 2 and 3, the transfer unit 5 further comprises means 28
by which to vary the height of the jaws in such a way as will render them capable
of movement, more exactly, between a first higher level at which the containers 2
are taken up at the receiving station 7, and a second lower level at which the containers
2 are deposited at the releasing station 9.
[0014] The aforementioned height variation means 28 include means 29 by which to guide the
movement of the slides 21, consisting in a tubular element 30 that presents a C-shaped
cross-sectional profile and a longitudinal opening 30a and is centred on the vertical
shaft 11. The bottom part of this same tubular element 30 is furnished with respective
quick coupling and fastening means 31 operating in conjunction with fastening means
32 afforded by a sleeve 33 secured to the bed 12 coaxially with the shaft 11, which
comprise a circular plate 34 and a ring 35 with radial lugs 36 positioned above the
plate (figures 6 and 7).
[0015] The guide means 29 also comprise a sector 37, coinciding with an arc to a circle
centred on the shaft 11, which is positioned with the concave side directed toward
the opening 30a and mounted rigidly to the bed 12 in a manner not illustrated.
[0016] More exactly, the aforementioned guide means 29 comprise respective cam profile means
38 composed of a first track 39 extending around the outer cylindrical surface 40
of the tubular element 30, and a second track 41 afforded by the top surface of the
circular sector 37. The two tracks 39 and 41 are substantially complementary one to
another, and present a combined length enabling them to extend around the full 360°
compass of the looped path 19 aforementioned, including the transfer path 19a along
which the holding and supporting means 22 are caused to advance.
[0017] As discernible in figures 2 and 3, each slide 21 comprises relative engagement means
43 interacting with the first and second tracks 39 and 41.
[0018] More precisely, the engagement means 43 comprise a first roller 44 mounted freely
to the end of a radial pivot 45 projecting from the slide 21 toward the cylindrical
surface 40 of the C-shaped tubular element 30, and a second roller 36 mounted freely
to a pivot 47 disposed parallel to the pivot 45 first mentioned and carried by an
arm 48 extending downward from the slide 21. The first roller 44 is insertable into
the first track 39, whilst the second roller 46 runs on the second track 41.
[0019] In operation, containers 2 are taken up singly and in succession from the first conveyor
8 at the receiving station 7 by the holding and supporting means 22, positioned at
the aforementioned first height. During the course of the passage onto the transfer
unit 5, the container 2 is subjected to a radial pushing force that has the effect
of opening the jaws 25 and 26 and causing the neck to locate in a seat 49 afforded
by the rounded ends of the selfsame jaws 25 and 26, against the resilient action of
a spring 50.
[0020] In the course of the take-up step, during which the holding and supporting means
22 are positioned at a height substantially level with the neck 4 of a container 2
standing on the first conveyor 8, the slide 21 is supported by the second roller 46
as it runs on the surface 42 of the sector 37, advancing along the transfer path 19a
to the point at which the first roller 44 engages with the first track 39 of the tubular
element 30.
[0021] With the transfer unit 5 then continuing to turn about the centre axis 6, the height
of the slide 21 will change as the first roller 44 advances along the profile of the
corresponding track 39.
[0022] As illustrated in figure 4, the cam profile of the first track 39 presents a first
substantially straight portion 39a engaged by the first roller 44 with the second
roller 46 still advancing along the relative track 41, followed by a first descending
inclined portion 39b engaged by the first roller 44 after the second roller 46 has
separated from the surface 42 of the sector 37, and next in sequence, a substantially
horizontal portion 39c along which the holding and supporting means 22 are positioned
at a height substantially level with the neck 4 of a container 2 standing on the second
conveyor 10.
[0023] The transfer unit 1 further comprises actuating means 51 by which to produce the
opening movement of the holding and supporting means 22, consisting in a cam sector
52 fixed to the outer cylindrical surface 40 of the tubular element 30 and designed
to interact with a following roller 53 carried by the end of an arm 54 associated
with one jaw 26.
[0024] The profile of the cam sector 52 is such as to engage the following roller 53 and
cause the jaw 26 in question to rotate about the relative pivot 24. The jaw 26 in
turn presents a tooth profile 55 by which the other jaw 25 is caused to rotate about
the relative pivot 24 in the opposite direction.
[0025] Following the step by which the container 2 is released to the second conveyor 10,
the holding and supporting means 22 continue to advance along the circular path 19,
the following roller 53 separates from the cam sector 52 and the jaws 25 and 26 are
drawn together by the spring 50.
[0026] Passing beyond the horizontal portion 39c of the track 39, the first roller 44 passes
onto a second ascending inclined portion 39d and the slide 21 is caused to return
upwards along the respective guide elements 16, bringing the holding and supporting
means 22 up to a height level with the neck 4 of a container 2 advancing on the first
conveyor 8.
[0027] During this same step, the first roller 44 passes along a third and final straight
portion 39e of the first track 39, whilst the second roller 46 regains the sector
37 and begins to advance along the first part of the top surface 42.
[0028] Importantly, the transfer unit 5 according to the present invention presents the
advantage of being readily adaptable to any size of container 2, since it allows a
rapid replacement of the cylindrical tubular element 30 and sector 37. After an initial
twisting movement serving to release it from the fastening means 32 rigidly associated
with the shaft 11, the tubular element 30 can be removed with ease, thanks in particular
to the C-shaped geometry described and illustrated, by inducing a sideways movement
transverse to the axis 6 of the shaft 11.
[0029] Accordingly, to fit a new tubular element 30 with a first track 39 of different profile,
the element is first translated radially into a position of coaxial alignment with
the shaft 11. Thereafter, the tubular element 30 is shifted axially in such a manner
that the internally projecting lugs 56 of a C-shaped sector 57 presented by the bottom
of the tubular element 30 are caused to locate between the radial lugs 36 mentioned
previously and register against the plate 34, thereby assuming the position illustrated
in figure 6.
[0030] Finally, a twisting movement left or right will cause the lugs 56 to lodge between
the plate 34 and the ring 35, thereby locking the tubular element 30 to the shaft
11 as illustrated in figures 2 and 7. Any risk of the element twisting loose accidentally
will be prevented by retaining means, illustrated as spring-loaded plungers 58 disallowing
relative movement between the plate 34 and the lugs 56.
1. A transfer unit for containers (2),
characterized in that it comprises
- at least one set of means (22) by which to take up and hold a relative container
(2) leaving a first conveyor (8) positioned at a first height; -feed means (18) by
which the holding means (22) are caused to advance along a predetermined path (19;
19a) extending at least between the first conveyor (8) and a second receiving conveyor
(10) positioned at a second height; and means (28) operating in conjunction with the
holding means (22), by which the height of the selfsame holding means is varied during
the course of their passage along the predetermined path (19; 19a) .
2. A unit as in claim 1, wherein holding means (22) comprise means (27) by which to grip
the neck (4) of a container (2).
3. A unit as in claim 1, wherein feed means (18) comprise a frame (17) set in motion
along a predetermined path (19) consisting in a closed loop, and the holding means
(22) are associated with respective means (20) slidable vertically in relation to
the frame (17).
4. A unit as in claim 3, wherein means (28) by which to vary the height of the holding
means (22) include guide means (29) operating in conjunction with the vertically slidable
means (20).
5. A unit as in claims 1 to 4, comprising a plurality of holding means (22).
6. A unit as in claim 5 where dependent on claim 3, wherein the frame (17) comprises
a plurality of pairs (15) of vertical guide elements (16) each associated with respective
holding means (22) incorporating gripper means (27).
7. A unit as in claim 6, comprising a shaft (11) aligned on a vertical axis (6) supporting
and driving the frame (17), wherein the frame (17) comprises a disc element (14) mounted
to the top end of the shaft (11) and carrying vertical guide elements (16) equispaced
angularly around the periphery.
8. A unit as in claim 7, wherein the guide means (29) comprise cam profile means (38).
9. A unit as in claim 8, wherein the cam profile means (38) comprise a first track (39)
and a second track (41) substantially complementary one to another, extending in combination
around the closed loop path (19) followed by the holding means (22).
10. A unit as in claim 9, wherein the first track (39) extends around the cylindrical
outer surface (40) presented by a tubular element (30) of C-shaped cross section aligned
concentrically with the vertical shaft (11) and comprising coupling and fastening
means (31) operating in conjunction with fastening means (32) afforded by the shaft
(11), whilst the second track (41) is presented by a sector (37) appearing as an arc
to a circle positioned with the concave side offered to the lateral opening (30a)
in the C-shaped tubular element (30).
11. A unit as in claim 10, wherein the width of the opening (30a) presented by the C-shaped
tubular element (30) is such that the selfsame element can be distanced from the vertical
shaft (11) by displacement in a radial direction.
12. A unit as in claims 3 and 8, wherein the slidable means (20) comprise a slide (21)
incorporating engagement means (43) designed to interact with the cam profile means
(38).
13. A unit as in claims 9 and 12, wherein engagement means (43) comprise a first roller
(44) and a second roller (46) passing respectively along the first track (39) and
the second track (41).
14. A unit as in claims 2 and 12, wherein the slide (21) comprises a pair of pivots (24)
supporting and enabling the angular movement of a pair of jaws (25, 26) providing
the gripper means (27).
15. A unit as in claim 14, wherein at least one of the jaws (25, 26) is associated with
respective actuating means (51) designed to produce the opening and/or closing movement
of the gripper means (27).
16. A unit as in claim 15, wherein the actuating means (51) comprise a cam sector (52),
and a following roller (53) mounted to the end of an arm (54) rigidly associated with
one of the two jaws (25, 26) .